My boyfriend’s friend John is a “theatre guy”- into local community theatre groups. He asked my boyfriend to go with him to see this comedic adaptation of Dracula which some of his friends were putting on. My boyfriend asked me if I wanted to join, and even though horror and all that isn’t really my thing, I agreed. Things are slowly opening up after the pandemic and I hadn’t been to a live play forever.

So the three of us drove to this suburban theatre. I picked up some weird vibes from John- it looked like he had no idea I was joining them.

There were graphics of Dracula everywhere in the theatre, black with red dripping from his fangs. I don’t get why grown men get so excited about Dracula but John and my boyfriend were super into it, excitedly googling different movie versions while I sipped on a glass of wine. It was an all-female troupe, but the long day and comfortable chairs and wine was getting me and I zoned out, everything becoming blurry.

I remembered the Lucy/Meena plotline. When the vampires bit Lucy, blood spurted everywhere and she slumped heavily. An acrid sour smell rose into the air. I felt uneasy for the first time. I glanced at the guys and John’s eyes were glowing in the dark lights.

At the interval, we went back into the bar and I got another glass of wine. The guys were chatting about the special effects and how realistic the blood looked.

Then John offered to take my boyfriend backstage and meet the actors. My boyfriend turned to me and asked if I wanted to go, but I was happy nursing my wine at the bar.

The two went off, five minutes passed, the bell rang, and there was no sign of them.

I got up and followed the arrow printed “Backstage”.

I came to a door with a sign “The Star. Please knock!”

I opened the door.

My boyfriend was slumped back in an ornate gold armchair, half-facing me, his eyes closed. Lady Dracula was bent over him, her teeth sunk into his neck, exactly like the scene with Lucy. Blood and lipstick were smeared scarlet on his neck. And John was standing over them, his face lit up with glee.

I don’t know how long I was standing there, staring at them. My boyfriend moved slightly, his eyelids fluttered. John looked up at me and put his finger on his lips. Somebody moved in the background. A voice outside called “Time please!”

My paralysis broke. I turned and fled, down the long corridor following the neon flickering exit signs. I ran as fast as I could, and soon enough I was pushing the door, stepping outside in the fresh air.

I found the car. I jumped in and sped away.

I broke up with my boyfriend via text once I was home, and never saw him after that.